COMEDY and pathos go hand in hand in the next production from Sudbury Dramatic Society based at The Quay Theatre.

Sue Townsend, author of the incredibly popular Adrian Mole books, has created Bazaar and Rummage, the funny and moving story of three severely agoraphobic women.

The women, who are part of a selfhelp group, decide to break through their troubled and insular lives for one day at least by bravely staging the eponymous bazaar and rummage sale.

Townsend has crafted a very entertaining, witty and poignant play of ordinary people striving to overcome all obstacles in an effort to rejoin society.

Hindered by their controlling social worker, Gwenda, each of them start coming to terms with the outside world and the causes of their illness.

Fliss, a trainee social worker, manages to keep them all together and by the time they leave the hall, it is apparent that their agoraphobia is not cured but at least they have made a start.

Jon Scripps took on the role of directing this all female cast and has thoroughly enjoyed the process.

He said: “I have watched my cast grow in confidence each week and have enjoyed watching their characters come through.

“I am looking forward to sharing our enjoyment of Bazaar and Rummage with the audience.”

Bazaar and Rummage was first staged in 1982 at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London.

The SDS Quay Theatre production is set very firmly in the 1980s but audiences should be aware that the production contains some strong language and adult humour.

The national award winning SDS are the resident drama group at The Quay Theatre. The group have recently impressed with hit performances of The Tempest, Outside Edge and Shadow Land.

Tickets are on sale now from 01787 374745 or online at www. quaysudbury.com